In our own time, many of us still carry on the tradition in the first week of the month: to astronomers with faith in math and science, it will occur this year on February 3rd; to Christians who observe their "cross-quarter" holiday between Christmas and Easter, February 2nd is known as Candlemas in northern latitudes and Lammas or Litha in the southern hemisphere.

“For,” said Harrison to himself, “the carles have little eneugh gear at ony rate, and if I call in the red-coats and take away what little they have, how is my worshipful lady to get her rents paid at Candlemas, which is but a difficult matter to bring round even in the best of times?”

Christmas in the North Riding of Yorkshire, says: "On the feast of St. St.phen large goose pies are made, all which they distribute among their needy neighbours, except one, which is carefully laid up, and not tasted till the purification of the Virgin, called Candlemas Day."